Windscreen wiper device

ABSTRACT

A windscreen wiper device comprising an elastic, elongated carrier element, as well as an elongated wiper blade of a flexible material, which can be placed in abutment with a windscreen to be wiped, which wiper blade includes at least one longitudinal groove, in which groove a longitudinal strip of the carrier element is disposed, which windscreen wiper device comprises a connecting device for an oscillating arm, wherein the oscillating arm can be pivotally connected to the connecting device about a pivot axis near one end, with the interposition of a joint part, with the special feature that the connecting device has a substantially H-shaped cross-section, wherein lower legs of the H-shaped cross-section are connected to the flexible material of the wiper blade on opposite sides thereof, and wherein upper legs of the H-shaped cross-section are adapted to receive the joint part.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

The present invention refers to a windscreen wiper device comprising anelastic, elongated carrier element, as well as an elongated wiper bladeof a flexible material, which can be placed in abutment with awindscreen to be wiped, which wiper blade includes at least onelongitudinal groove, in which groove a longitudinal strip of the carrierelement is disposed, which windscreen wiper device comprises aconnecting device for an oscillating arm, wherein the oscillating armcan be pivotally connected to the connecting device about a pivot axisnear one end, with the interposition of a joint part.

2. Related Art

Such a windscreen wiper device is generally known. The prior artwindscreen wiper device is in particular designed as a “yokeless” wiperdevice or “flat blade”, wherein use is no longer made of several yokespivotally connected to each other, but wherein the wiper blade isbiassed by one or two longitudinal strip (s) of the carrier element, asa result of which it exhibits a specific curvature. According to theprior art one drawback of the prior art windscreen wiper device is thefact that the connecting device, also called “connector”, lackssufficient rigidity, not only at the location of its connection to thewiper blade, but also at the location of its connection to theoscillating arm. Hence, the connecting device may permanently deformunder the influence of high stresses exerted thereon. As a result, theinterconnection between the connecting device and the wiper blade, forexample, may be adversely affected, so that the wiping properties maydeteriorate, particularly at high speeds, due to the so-called “fishtailing phenomenon”. According to this phenomenon the wiper blade onopposite sides of the connecting device vibrates in an uncontrollablemanner parallel to the windscreen to be wiped. Hence, as a consequencethereof, wiping properties may seriously deteriorate, with all negativeconsequences involved.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is to improve the prior art as indicatedabove, in particular to provide a windscreen wiper device of the “flatblade” type, wherein the wiping properties are improved.

In order to accomplish that objective, a windscreen wiper device of thekind referred to in the introduction according to the invention ischaracterized in that the connecting device has a substantially H-shapedcross-section, wherein lower legs of the H-shaped cross-section areconnected to the flexible material of the wiper blade on opposite sidesthereof, and wherein upper legs of the H-shaped cross-section arearranged to receive the joint part. the H-shaped cross-section ensures agreat rigidity of the connecting piece, allowing a shorter lengththereof, seen in longitudinal direction of the wiper blade. A permanentor temporarily deformation due to high stresses loaded thereon is thusavoided. Particularly, the lower legs are movable between an openposition, wherein the wiper blade can be placed inside the connectingdevice at the location of their interconnection, and a closed position,wherein the lower legs are clamped around the flexible material of thewiper blade. In the alternative, instead of a clamping operation, acrimping operation is used. the lower legs on the one hand and the upperlegs on the other hand are interconnected by means of a base, whereinthe lower legs, the upper legs and the base are preferably in one pieceof material.

Please note that the joint part is preferably a separate, i.e. singleconstructional element being detachably connected to the connectingdevice, so that in that case there is a so-called “three piececonnection” formed by the connecting device, the joint part and theoscillating arm. In the alternative, the joint part is an integral partof the oscillating arm. In that case there is a so-called “two piececonnection” formed by the connecting device and the oscillating arm.

Further, it is noted that the interconnection of the connecting deviceand the wiper blade through a clamping action is efficiently dealt within case the connecting device is made of metal.

In a preferred embodiment of a windscreen wiper device in accordancewith the invention in the closed position the wiper blade and thelongitudinal strip are mutually fixated by the lower legs at thelocation of the interconnection of the connecting device and the wiperblade, and wherein in the closed position the wiper blade is allowed tomove in longitudinal direction relative to the longitudinal stripoutside the location of the interconnection of the connecting device andthe wiper blade. In other words, the wiper blade and the longitudinalstrip are not allowed to mutually move under the connecting device, butin all other areas along the wiper blade a slight movement thereof ismade possible in order to allow the wiper blade to follow any curvatureof the windscreen to be wiped. In the closed position the lower legs areparticularly slightly deforming the wiper blade at the location of theinterconnection of the connecting device and the wiper blade.

In another preferred embodiment of a windscreen wiper device accordingto the invention the joint part is connected to the connecting device byengaging protrusions of the connecting device, at the location of thepivot axis, in co-axial recesses provided in the joint part. This ispreferably realized through a snapping or clipping operation. In thealternative, the joint part is connected to the connecting device byengaging protrusions of the joint part, at the location of the pivotaxis, in co-axial recesses provided in the connecting device. This isalso particularly realized through snapping (“clipping”). More inparticular, in the alternative, the protrusions extend inwards fromouter walls of the joint part.

In another preferred embodiment of a windscreen wiper device inaccordance with the invention the protrusions extend outwards from theupper legs on either side of the connecting device. the protrusions arepreferably cylindrical. In the alternative, the protrusions arespherical or frusto-conical in shape. the protrusions that function asbearing surfaces, are thus spaced far apart, so that forces exertedthereon will be relatively low.

In another preferred embodiment of a windscreen wiper device accordingto the invention the protrusions are provided with co-axial throughholes, wherein a pivot pin is inserted in the through holes.Accordingly, the wiper blade may then be connected to the oscillatingarm on the basis of a so-called “sidelock system”. The oscillating armis provided with a joint pin or a pivot pin to be inserted in theco-axial through holes. the pivot pin protrudes in a direction towardsthe wiper blade and has a pivot axis extending in a direction of theoscillating movement of the oscillating arm.

In another preferred embodiment of a windscreen wiper device inaccordance with the invention the connecting device is produced from ametal sheet and subsequently bend into the H-shaped cross-section. theconnecting device is produced from a metal sheet particularly through acutting or stamping operation.

It is noted that the present invention is not restricted to the use ofonly one longitudinal strip forming the elastic carrier element that isparticularly located in a central longitudinal groove of the wiperblade. Instead, the carrier element may also comprise two longitudinalstrips, wherein the strips are disposed in opposite longitudinal groovesof the wiper blade.

THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be explained more in detail with reference tofigures illustrated in a drawing, wherein

FIG. 1 is a perspective, schematic view of a preferred embodiment of awindscreen wiper device according to the invention;

FIGS. 2 through 4 show stepwise mounting a joint part onto a connectingdevice of the windscreen wiper device of FIG. 1; and

FIGS. 5 and 6 is a perspective, schematic view of the connecting deviceof FIGS. 1 through 4 with the joint part (FIG. 5) and without the jointpart (FIG. 6) of FIGS. 3 and 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a preferred variant of a windscreen wiper device 1according to the invention. the windscreen wiper device 1 is built up ofan elastomeric wiper blade 2 comprising a central longitudinal groove 3,wherein a longitudinal strip 4 made of spring band steel is fitted inthe longitudinal groove 3. the strip 4 forms a flexible carrier elementfor the rubber wiper blade 2, as it were, which is thus biassed in acurved position (the curvature in operative position being that of awindscreen to be wiped). An end of the strip 4 and/or an end of thewiper blade 2 may connected on either side of the windscreen wiperdevice 1 to respective connecting pieces or “end caps” (not shown). Theconnecting pieces may be separate constructional elements, which may beform-locked as well as force-locked to both ends of the strip 4 and/orends of the wiper blade 2. In another preferred variant, the connectingpieces may be in one piece with the strip 4 made of spring band steel.The windscreen wiper device 1 is furthermore built up of a connectingdevice or connector 5 of metal for connecting an oscillating wiper armthereto (not shown), with the interposition of a joint part 6. Theoscillating wiper arm is pivotally connected to the connecting device 5about a pivot axis near one end. The preferred embodiment of FIG. 1according to the invention comprises a spoiler or “air deflector” 7which is made in one piece with the rubber wiper blade 2 and whichextends along the entire length thereof.

Although not shown in FIG. 1, but fully understood by a skilled person,the oscillating arm is connected to a mounting head fixed for rotationto a shaft driven by a small motor. In use, the shaft rotatesalternately in a clockwise and in a counter-clockwise sense carrying themounting head into rotation also, which in turn draws the oscillatingarm into rotation and by means of the connecting device 5 moves thewiper blade 2.

In FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 a view is given of a part of the windscreen wiperdevice 1 of FIG. 1, showing (a) the connecting device 5 connected ontothe wiper blade (2), but without the joint part 6 being mounted thereon(FIG. 2), (b) the connecting device 5 connected onto the wiper blade 2,but the joint part 6 being placed above the connecting device 5 in anattempt to mount the joint part 6 onto the connecting device 5 in thedirection of arrow 8 (FIG. 3), and (c) the connecting device 5 connectedonto the wiper blade 2 and the joint part 6 mounted onto the connectingdevice 5 (FIG. 4). FIGS. 2 and 6 show in detail the connecting device 5used in the windscreen wiper device 1 of FIG. 1. As shown, theconnecting device 5 has a H-shaped cross-section, wherein lower legs9,10 of the H-shaped cross-section are connected to the rubber of thewiper blade 2 on opposite sides thereof. The spoiler 7 is an integralpart of the wiper blade 2, while a central cut can be foreseen forplacing the connecting device 5 therein. On opposite sides of the cutparts of the spoiler 7 are designated with reference numerals 11, 12.Upper legs 13,14 of the H-shaped cross-section are adapted to receivethe joint part 6, as will be explained hereunder.

Whether or not with the help of a special tool or by hand the lower legs9,10 are moved from a non operative position into an open position. Infact, the lower legs 9,10 are pushed outwardly against a spring force ofthe metal from which the connecting device 5 is manufactured. This ispossible as a result of the elastic properties of the metal. In the openposition the wiper blade 2 is mounted inside the lower legs 9,10 of theconnecting device 5 at the location of their interconnection. In theopen position the longitudinal strip 4 of the carrier element is slidedinto the central longitudinal groove 3 of the wiper blade 2. Ifconsidered expedient, a lubricant is used to facilitate insertion of thelongitudinal strip 4 inside the longitudinal groove 3. Finally, when thewiper blade 2 and the longitudinal strip 4 are in the right position,the lower legs 9,10 of the connecting device 5 are allowed to springback into a closed position (FIG. 2), wherein the lower legs 9,10 areclamped around the wiper blade 2, while slightly deforming the rubber ofthe wiper blade 2 at the location where the lower legs 9,10 engage therubber. In the closed position the wiper blade 2 and the longitudinalstrip 4 are mutually fixated by the lower legs 9,10 at the location ofthe interconnection of the connecting device 5 and the wiper blade 2,whereas in the closed position the wiper blade 2 is allowed to move inlongitudinal direction relative to the longitudinal strip 4 outside thelocation of the interconnection of the connecting device 5 and the wiperblade 2.

As shown in FIGS. 1 through 6, the connecting device 5 comprises twocylindrical protrusions 15,16 extending outwards on either side of theupper legs 13,14 the connecting device 5. These protrusions 15,16pivotally engage in identically shaped cylindrical recesses 17,18 inouter walls 19,20 of the plastic joint part 6. The protrusions 15,16 actas bearing surfaces at the location of the pivot axis in order to pivotthe joint part 6 (and the oscillating arm attached thereto) about thepivot axis near one end of the oscillating arm. The protrusions 15,16are preferably in one piece with the connecting device 5. In thealternative, the protrusions 15,16 are part of a single pivot pinperpendicular to the connecting device 5. The joint part 6 is mountedonto the connecting device 5 in the direction of the arrow 8 by snappingor clipping the joint part 6 onto the connecting device 5, wherein theouter walls 19,20 are elastically deformed. As can be seen in FIG. 5,the upper legs 13,14 of the connecting device 5 are accommodated betweenthe outer walls 19,20 and inner walls 21,22 of the joint part 6 in orderto increase the rigidity of the unit formed by the connecting device 5and the joint part 6. The outer walls 19,20 and the inner walls 21,22are thus spaced-apart defining a space there between for the upper legs13,14.

To further increase the rigidity of the unit formed by the connectingdevice 5 and the joint part 6 the connecting device 5 may comprise areinforcing rib 23 connecting the outer legs 13,14 so as to form abridge between them.

As can be seen from the figures, the lower legs 9, 10 on the one handand the upper legs 13, 14 on the other hand are interconnected through abase 24. Preferably, the lower legs 9, 10 and the upper legs 13, 14 andthe base 24 are in one piece.

The invention is not restricted to the variants shown in the drawing,but it also extends to other preferred embodiments that fall within thescope of the appended claims.

1-12. (canceled)
 13. A windscreen wiper device comprising an elastic,elongated carrier element, as well as an elongated wiper blade of aflexible material, which can be placed in abutment with a windscreen tobe wiped, which wiper blade includes at least one longitudinal groove,in which groove a longitudinal strip of the carrier element is disposed;a connecting device for an oscillating arm which can be pivotallyconnected to said connecting device about a pivot axis near one end,with the interposition of a joint part, wherein said connecting devicehas a substantially H-shaped cross-section, wherein lower legs of saidH-shaped cross-section are connected to the flexible material of saidwiper blade on opposite sides thereof, and wherein upper legs of saidH-shaped cross-section are adapted to receive said joint part, whereinsaid joint part is connected to said connecting device through asnapping operation by engaging cylindrical protrusions of saidconnecting device, at the location of said pivot axis, in co-axialrecesses provided in said joint part, and wherein the protrusions extendoutwards form said upper legs on either side of said connecting device,and wherein said protrusions are provided with co-axial through holes.14. A windscreen wiper device according to claim 13, wherein said lowerlegs are movable between an open position, wherein said wiper blade canbe placed inside said connecting device at the location of theirinterconnection, and a closed position, wherein said lower legs areclamped around the flexible material of said wiper blade.
 15. Awindscreen wiper device according to claim 14, wherein in said closedposition said wiper blade and said longitudinal strip are mutuallyfixated by said lower legs at the location of the interconnection ofsaid connecting device and said wiper blade, and wherein in said closedposition said wiper blade is allowed to move in longitudinal directionrelative to said longitudinal strip outside the location of theinterconnection of said connecting device and said wiper blade.
 16. Awindscreen wiper device according to claim 14, wherein in said closedposition said lower legs are slightly deforming said wiper blade at thelocation of the interconnection of said connecting device and said wiperblade.
 17. A windscreen wiper device according to claim 13, wherein saidconnecting device is produced form a metal sheet and subsequently bendinto said H-shaped cross-section.
 18. A windscreen wiper deviceaccording to claim 17, wherein said connecting device is produced from ametal sheet through a cutting or stamping operation.
 19. A windscreenwiper device according to clam 13, wherein said joint part is a separateconstructional element.
 20. A windscreen wiper device according to claim13, wherein said joint part is an integral part of said oscillating arm.21. A windscreen wiper device according to claim 13, wherein said upperlegs are each disposed between two spaced-apart walls of said jointpart.